Boynton Police Confiscate Limos In Drug Bust

BOYNTON BEACH — A Wednesday drug bust ``wasn`t a major operation,`` but it could give the Police Department its first two Cadillac limousines.

Arrested in the raid were three family members who own and operate Capitol Limousine Inc., at 414 E. Ocean Drive, and a driver for the company.

``I got two limos and two taxis sitting out back,`` said Capt. Carl Dixon. ``We`re going to get us a chauffeur now.``

Following the drug bust that involved members of the city`s Organized Crime Bureau and Special Weapons and Tactics team, police secured a search warrant for the home and business of Ariel Nicholas Arenado, 47, of the 500 block of West Ocean Avenue. Arenado owns the company, police said.

The limousines and cabs were confiscated when officers conducted the search, Dixon said. The four vehicles were used to transport cocaine for sale throughout the city, according to a statement prepared by officers involved in the bust.

About $5,000 worth of cocaine was found in the operation, police said.

Police did not say how Linda D. Arenado is related to other family members.

A total of 21 felony charges were filed against the four suspects, including possession of cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and delivery of cocaine, according to the statement.

If the suspects are found guilty, police can go to court and ask that the automobiles be forfeited to the city`s Police Department because they were used to commit crimes, Dixon said.

Police Capt. Jack DeLoach said he could not speculate on how the department would use the vehicles.

The investigation leading to the arrests had been going on for several weeks, according to Dixon. Undercover agents made several other purchases at the Arenados` home during the investigation, he added.

Agent Mary Thomas made Wednesday`s purchase as members of the city`s SWAT team waited outside, Dixon said. SWAT team members raided Arenado`s home moments after Thomas` purchase, he said.

``It wasn`t a major operation,`` he said. ``They weren`t major smugglers, they were street sellers.``